As a Franco American and Lewiston native, I feel it my duty to the founding board members and to the Franco community to address the name change of the Franco American Heritage Center to “Riverfront.” Need I remind the current board of the $6.5 million raised as a way to preserve the Franco culture? Changing […]
Alex Lear
A Maine native and Colby College graduate, Alex has been covering coastal communities since 2001. He lives in the Portland area with his wife Lauren, 4-year-old daughter Alaina, and 7-year-old bulldog Walter. He has released four CDs of original music and does occasional research work for Marvel Comics' collected editions.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Bob Neal: The Countryman: Is it OK to be American?
I blame Democrats for making politics about our condition of birth rather than about getting along in the world. But Republicans have made a weapon of identity, putting their cards on the table of white resentment.
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Posted inLetters, Opinion
Carl Sheline: Center’s name should represent legacy of Francos
While the decision of renaming the Franco Center rests with its board of directors, I wanted to share my thoughts as Lewiston’s mayor. Over the course of the past few months, my thinking has evolved on this subject. Ever since moving to Lewiston, I’ve known that the former St. Mary’s Church holds a special place […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
John Henderson: Franco Center can make changes – but its name shouldn’t be one of them
The Franco American Heritage Center must create meaning for individuals of Franco heritage, as well as us in the “general public.” Why should anyone be proud to be Franco? If the center can answer that question effectively, it will prosper as it is currently named.
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Régine Whittlesey: Franco Center ‘should proudly keep its name to reflect its history’
Recently, I heard from many members of the Lewiston community about the name change for the Franco American Heritage Center. This change of name did not take into consideration the voice of the community, and it apparently was not a full board decision, either. That was a big mistake, as this building is emblematic for […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Pat Soule: A suggestion for renaming Franco Center
I was born and raised in Lewiston, left for the Navy in 1971, made a career, and stayed in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. I’ve subscribed to the print edition of the Sun Journal for a year and switched to digital a number of years ago. So, I have the perspective of being away. […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Donna Veilleux: ‘Renaming the Franco Center is wrong’
Renaming the Franco Center is wrong. Not because I am a part of the French community in Maine, but because I have so many colleagues, friends and family who are. The community created this incredible center and has maintained its beauty and ownership since 2000 as required by the agreement in place when they bought […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Rudolph Ziehm: Fox News ‘an insult to journalism’
I hope the Sun Journal isn’t paying too much mind to syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, because most of his words are virtually worthless. I say this because he refers to the New York Post for his facts. He might as well make reference to Fox News. Fox, or as I have always printed, faux news, […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Jim Lysen: Let’s work together to solve the housing crisis
Housing is not affordable for a huge number of Mainers, and that puts tens of thousands of Mainers at risk of homelessness, including veterans and seniors. Nowhere in Maine can median-income renters even afford the median rent.